Just as their lips parted, the world stilled for a moment—soft wind brushing past them, Nyx humming low like she was holding her breath.
Then came the sharp gasp.
Zane froze. He turned around slowly, dreading what he'd see.
Valerie stood a few feet away, arms crossed tight against her chest, face unreadable—but the trembling in her lip and her clenched fists betrayed the storm swirling inside her.
"So... this is how it is," she said coldly.
Sera stiffened beside Zane. "Valerie—wait, I—"
"Oh, don't stop on my account," Valerie said, with a laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "I was just coming to say they're starting the team pairing ceremony... but clearly, you two are already a team in more ways than one."
Zane stepped forward, guilt crawling up his spine. "Valerie, I didn't mean—"
"No need to explain," she cut in, her voice sharp. "It's always been , hasn't it? I should've known better than to hope."
Sera looked down, her grip on Zane's hand loosening. "It's not like that. You're my sister..."
"Half-sister," Valerie snapped. "Remember?"
Zane winced. "Valerie, this isn't the time for—"
"Oh? And when exactly is the time, Zane? After the next kiss? Or maybe when you both decide to leave the academy together and forget I exist?"
Zane's voice hardened, frustration leaking through. "No one asked you to keep following me. I never led you on. I never wanted any of this. Honestly, I wish I never caught you in the first place. You keep pushing yourself into places you don't belong, even when you know I'm with Sera."
Valerie flinched, like the words physically struck her.
Then her eyes narrowed, and her voice turned ice cold. "You'll regret that."
She turned and walked away quickly, her shoulders rigid, refusing to let either of them see her break.
A thick silence followed her departure, broken only by Nyx slowly floating down beside them, her voice as cheeky as ever.
"Well, that was dramatic," she said, conjuring a tiny fan made of shadows and waving it like a gossiping noble. "Ten out of ten. Peak teenage heartbreak. Honestly, I'm proud."
Sera sighed, her earlier smile gone. "I didn't mean to hurt her."
"I know," Zane said softly. "Neither did I."
They stood there in silence for a few moments, the tension between them thick but not unbearable.
Then Sera gently squeezed his hand, pulling him slightly closer.
"You sure you're okay?" she asked.
Zane looked into her eyes and nodded. "I am now."
She smiled faintly, then leaned in again—pressing one more kiss to his lips, this time slower, tender.
Nyx groaned and looked away. "Ugh, not again. At least let me fly ten feet away next time!"
Zane chuckled against Sera's lips. "No promises."